Screeching above the rhythmic backgrounds are the wailing guitars of Nigel Pulsford and Rossdale, weaving their sounds together like lovers. The distortion individualizes the guitars while the melodies unify them in one single cry.
Rising above all the wild instruments is Rossdale, who aggressively shouts and seductively sings with equal parts bursting energy and introspection. With age, Rossdale's voice and writing ability have evolved, capturing every emotion from anger to love.
Rossdale's roar shines as the band returns to its rock roots in high-octane, pumping cuts like "Speed Kills" and the driving "My Engine Is With You."
On the other hand, the album is balanced with several atmospheric tracks that still sport a rock attitude, like "Out Of This World" and the liquid "Inflatable."
With a smooth mix of rock tones and hypnotic guitar cords, several tracks stand out as balanced between rock and emotion. "Head Full of Ghost" displays Rossdale's increasing abilities as a writer while pouring out soothing instrumentals.
Greatly matured both in talent and personality, Bush has returned to its characteristic rock while representing the wisdom of its age. The product is a driving album, veins coursing with volatile energy yet still on the verge of tears.
By Nick Parker
The Strokes
Is This It
4 Stars
New York's the Strokes are facing a dilemma -- the hype surrounding them is louder than their music.
The group's debut album Is This It, garnered media attention for its track "NYC Cops," a song deemed too sensitive for post-Sept. 11 audiences. The track was consequently pulled from the album and replaced with "When It Started."
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Perhaps the politically correct thing to do, the absence of the original track leaves one wondering exactly what the Strokes had up their sleeves.
All of that being said, the Strokes are worthy of attention for more than one reason. It's too early to tell whether the Strokes are capable of living up to their sensationalized reputation, but they shouldn't worry too much about the future. Is This It is more than adequate for the present.
Similarly, the band members wrote the album about the here and now -- their lyrics deal with disaffected youth, cynicism and imperfect love. The band's sound draws upon the hip dirtiness of the Velvet Underground, the weird pop of early Talking Heads and the guitar fuzz of the most accessible Sonic Youth.
Unlike those New York bands, the Strokes weren't too ambitious in producing their debut. Is This It works because it's short and sweet -- the 11 songs clock in at just under 36 minutes -- and because the band has developed a unique way of structuring its tunes.
The drums set a punchy tempo that rarely wavers. The guitars enter with particularly catchy riffs. The bass keeps the rhythm going while adding some melody of its own.
And rather than merely singing over the instrumentation, lead singer Julian Casablancas' distorted vocals strut alongside the music -- his weary-beyond-his-years voice drips over and coats the music.
Is This It is a great album even though the Strokes' style becomes predictable. It's full of youthful energy and passion mixed with the focus of musicians who know exactly what they're doing.
Sure, the Strokes might not be able to match their effort here with their future releases. In the long run, they might end up disappointing the super-hopeful.
But for a debut, Is This It provides the life of the confused, jaded and horny New York boy with a terrific soundtrack. The potential is certainly there -- these new kids just might become distinguished gentlemen in the always-changing world of rock.
By Elliott Dube
